The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-11-04


pressed the householders of Heelstring
az "a purity sharp feller," notwith-
standing that his argument was re-
ceived with many negative head-shak-
ings.
Now, gentlemen, said he in com
clusion, "there is certainly a legal way
in which to punish a man for beating
his wife. A complaint should be filed
in some court of competent iurisdic-
ton, where he win be given a fair trial
and punished according to law
''Accoi1ifn' to lawr' sneered Bill.
"Law costs somethin' in this country.
There's fees fur the squire, and fees
for the constable, and fees fur witness
es, and we taxpayers would have to
foot the bills. | dom want any law in
mine. | got into a lawsuit once over
twenty bushels of corn, and it cost me
jest twenty dollars to git out. Besides,
he's guilty, and every body knows it. !"
''Fellers, " said Josh Meathers, Il Jest
want to git in one word. Exceptin'
Uncle Jim, I'm the oldest man on the
ground. Now, I propose comprom-
Use between Bills plan and Mr.. Arch
er's. We needn't be in hurry about
the thrashin'. Hits some somethin'
that'll wait. aintin favor O. goin' into
court. Jestice comes too high there
fur us fellers to afford it. Les app'int
a committee to go and see Jack and
tell i'm this here things got to stop,
or the neighbors will take i'm out and
tan his hide fur i'm. It'll be givin' i'm
a chanct."
There were a number of approving
mods, and Meathers moved the appoint
ment of the committee. Without wait
ing for a second, Ganey put the ques-
ton. There were numerous but not
very enthusiastic ayes, and there were
few subdued noes.
The notions kerried," said the
chairman. can / appint on that COM
mittee Josh Meathers, an Abe Thorn,
an Sam Bowler; an | will act with
'em an be thurman.
The meeting adjourned and the
crowd slowly dispersed. The commit
tee, however, Jagged behind for con-
sultation, which was finished with a
remark from the overseer.
81 guess, bein' as was thurman of
the meetin' and of the committee,
might as well go and see Hardness my
self. I've got to see i'm tomorrow
about not workin' the road, so it'll
come handy to give i'm his orders
about the other matter"
The other members silently acqui-
esced, and each wendell his way home
ward.
Some one has said that every COM
munity has its little great man, or in
dividual of small capacity, but great
aspirations, who pushes himself for
ward on every occasion as the leading
citizen of his neighborhood. Old Jim
Ganey was such man; and the alacrity
with which he stepped to the front in
all local affairs, from a camp-meeting
to a barn-raising, would have been
amusing, had his character been thor
oughly understood. But then, the
people of Heelstring never troubled
themselves about deep insight into
human nature, or an analysis of char
acters.
When Ganey reached home that
evening, he lost no time in fully APP
prising his wife of the Importance of
the mission before him. That good
soul listened patiently to all the cir
cumstances relating thereto, but when
the story was finished, she shook her
head and remarked with sigh:
"Be keerful, Jeems! Be keerful."
"Be kerfull!" exclaimed the old man
Indignantly. Don't we reckon / know
my own business?" And he relapsed
into grim silence for the remainder OF
the evening.
About three miles from Ganey's
home, down on the narrow bottom OF
Beaver Creek, stood the log cabin Of
Jack Hardness. The premises pre-
sented an appearance that was unin.
viting in the extreme. A few yards
from the cabin was pole shed, scan.
tily covered with straw, which served
the purpose of stable for Hardness
only horse. His crib was rail pen.
There were no other outbuildings
| The fifteen acres of bottom was inclosed
by a rail fence sadly in need of repair
The only crop in the field, beyond 6
few truck patches, was about ten acres
of corn; which, although badly grown
up in weeds, would probably yield hal
a crop. This, however, was due rather
to the natural productiveness of the
soil, than to the industry of the pro
prietor.
A single glance at the house would
have convinced an architect that, what
ever else it might lack the structure
was certainly well ventilated-too vel
in fact; for half the panes in the onl,
window had long since been broker
out, and the vacancy was filled will
pillows, that projected half wa.
through, or with paper pasted over thu
sash. The house was sadly in need o
"chinking," that desirable feature
having been di 4ensed with when thu
cabin was built the previous spring
The interior was marked by an entir,
absence of unnecessary furniture. 1
homemade bedstead, small table
two "split-bottom" chairs, dry-good
box, which served for cupboard, ant
few cooking utensils comprised thu
household goods.
The day before the woodworking
Jack had spent at the "still-house,
few miles down the creek. AS the re
suit of his spree, he was not IN a condi
ton for even such light physical exer
ton, as was required in working tn
road.
When Jim Ganey mounted his hors
that morning to go to Hardness place
he was fully aware of the reason TO
the latter's absence the day before
/ 1t